Litter mat

• US 6,050,223 A
• Filed: 12/04/1997
• Issued: 04/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Charles Edward Harris
• Original Assignee: Charles Edward Harris
• Inventors: Harris, Charles Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Swiatek, Robert P.
• Application Number:
  US08/984,901
• Time in Patent Office: 866 Days
• Field of Search: 119/161, 119/165, 119/168, 15/215, 15/238, 248/222.13, 248/231.85, 248/548
• US Class Current: 119/165
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/0107 Cat trays; Dog urinals; Toilets for pets
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/0157 Mats; Sheets

Abstract

A litter mat includes a plurality of flexible plastic strips that have a cross-section in the general shape of an inverted J, are parallel to each other and have similar orientations. The strips are secured to a base. The strips are each in an adjoining relationship with an adjacent strip whereby the strips define a surface disposed above the base. The strips extend lengthwise between two opposite edges of the mat. When a cat steps on the surface the strips or portions thereof flex to space the strips defining passageways for litter to fall to the base. The strips, if desired, may be segmented.

Claims

1. A litter mat, comprising:

a base; and

a plurality of flexible strips each having a wall portion secured to the base and a top portion, the top portions cooperating to define a surface for the mat and a plurality of receptacles, said strips adapted to flex to space said top portions to define passageways for litter to fall into the receptacles to be retained thereby.

2. The litter mat of claim 1 wherein said strips have an inverted J-shaped cross-section.

3. The litter mat of claim 1 wherein said strips have an arrow shaped cross-section.

4. The litter mat of claim 1 additionally comprising a plurality of posts secured to the base adjacent to said strips.

5. The litter mat of claim 4 where said posts have a cylindrical shape with one end connected to said base.

6. The litter mat of claim 4 wherein said posts and said strips are made from similar materials, the diameter of said posts being greater than the thickness of said strips.

7. The litter mat of claim 1 wherein said strips are arranged in column form.

8. The litter mat of claim 1 wherein said strips are segmented.

9. A litter mat comprising:

a base;

a plurality of adjacent, flexible strips, each strip including an upstanding wall portion secured to the base and a top portion, said top portions together defining a surface for the mat and a plurality of receptacles there below; and

means for controlling the flexure of the strips such that they flex under a cat'"'"'s paw to space said top portions defining a passageway for litter to drop to a receptacle, said top portions closing when the paw is lifted to enclose the dropped litter.

10. The mat of claim 9 wherein each strip has a cross-section of an inverted J.

11. The mat of claim 9 wherein each strip has a cross-section of an inverted block-letter J.

12. The mat of claim 9 wherein each strip has an arrow shape cross-section.

13. The mat of claim 9 wherein the control means includes a post disposed adjacent the wall portion of the strip.

14. The mat of claim 9 wherein the control means includes providing the strip wall portion with a taper.

15. A litter mat comprising:

a base; and

a plurality of flexible strip segments each having a wall portion secured to the base and a top portion projecting from the wall portion, said segments arranged on the base such that the top portions define a substantially continuous surface disposed above the base, each segment adapted to flex and separate said top portions under a cat'"'"'s paw to define a passageway for litter to drop from the surface to the base for collection and retention thereof.

16. The mat of claim 15 wherein the segments are arranged in rows, the wall portions of the segments in each row defining a receptacle for the litter dropped through he passageway.

17. The mat of claim 15 wherein the segment'"'"'s wall portion and top portion have substantially an inverted J-shape cross-section.

18. The mat of claim 15 wherein the segment'"'"'s wall and top portions have substantially an arrow shape cross-section.